Laois parents urged to take illegal E scooters 'off young lads going to school'

Electric scooters should be taken from children by their parents because they are not legal, a member of the Laois Joint Policing Committee has suggested.

E scooters are a common sight around towns and villages in Laois, but an Irish law to govern them is still being drawn up, so they remain in legal limbo.

This month the Laois JPC committee was told that the powered scooters are currently not legal.

The Department of Transport gave a reply to Deputy Brian Stanley who had asked when legislation would be in place.

The reply said that a Commencement Order is soon to be signed by the Minister for Transport. However there are some "technical and legal issues" still remaining and the law is expected to be in place at the end of March 2024.

"E-scooters will not be legal to use in public areas until that time."

It will ban E scooters from footpaths and pedestrian areas, and make helmets and protective clothing optional, but strongly recommended.

JPC member Bobby Delaney from Mountmellick said parents must not know they are illegal now.

"Maybe parents should take note, and take them off their young lads going to school. If I've an accident with an E-scooter, would the law be on my side? I think parents will say 'no you can't bring it to school it's illegal'," he said.

Deputy Brian Stanley is on the committee.

"As of now they are not legal. Could we get them off the footpaths?," he asked the Laois Chief Superintendent Anthony Lonergan.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley highlighted a contradiction.

"What law do you break if it isn't there? I'd look for clarification. That's an awful situation to put us in. Until the law is there the Gardaí can't enact it," she said.

"There are so many used on the edge of roads, in and out of heavy traffic, it's dangerous for motorists as well. They are certainly posing danger to them selves. Can Gardaí go to schools and advise on them?" Cllr Paddy Bracken suggested.

"I've seen three and four people on them at the same time. If they fall and you hit them, they are liable to claim on your insurance," warned Cllr Aisling Moran, chair of the committee. 

"Tax and insure them as a propelled vehicle, that will stop them fairly quickly," suggested Cllr Ben Brennan.

The Chief Super said "we will welcome the legislation and seek clarity".

He said that at the moment, incidents are "dealt with case by case".

"When the legislation comes we won't be found wanting. We do also try to create awareness about public safety," he said.